THERE'LL BE NO WELCOME IN THE STUDIOS

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It was 'haves' and 'have-nots' on last night's Newsnight, which can only mean one thing - a report from old commie Paul Mason. The 'haves' were the wicked bankers making their evil profits, the 'have nots' were the public sector workers, ground beneath the heel of top-hatted capitalism and its running dogs.
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As with yesterday's Greek report, Paul began at a protest with striking workers. We heard from two union members and their far-far-left leader Mark Serwotka (PCS union). For a change of perspective Mason then turned to...the TUC! We heard from Ken Mulkearn , editor of their IDS Pay Review, saying all going's to be well for the private sector but not for the public sector (well, he would say that, wouldn't he!) Marc Ostwald, strategist at Monument Securities, came next. Quite what his politics are I can't say! He was on to support Paul's contention that 'output theory' is 'wearing thin'. Then, with all the inevitability of a Bruce Forsyth catchphrase, on came Vince Cable to provide his 'expert' view.
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At least Vince wasn't one of the guests in the following discussion with Kirsty Wark. Surprisingly that was John Redwood. Mr Redwood may not know the words of the Welsh national anthem (as the BBC still likes to remind us from time to time) but he is a wise voice, worthy of as many invites to the studios of the BBC as Vince himself (but getting VASTLY fewer such invites). He put up a characteristically strong performance. He was up against the aforementioned Mark Serwotka. John Redwood was interrupted three times (I.C. of 0.7). Kirsty's characteristically dumb questions to him went on about 'injustice'. Her first question to Mr Serwotka tempted him to attack the Tories (why not bite the Labour bullet Mark or face a pay freeze under the Tories?) and a later question showed yet again her sheer ineptness as an interviewer. I'm no expert on trade unions but even I already knew that the PCS union is not affiliated to the Labour Party (Labour's far too right-wing for Mr Serwotka and friends). Slursty didn't: "What do you think of the position of your union, for example? Do you think you should just set aside your relations with Labour in the hope than an incoming Conservative government's going to treat you better?"
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